The effect of silicon (Si) on the growth and nutritional status of Schizolobium amazonicum seedlings subjected to zinc toxicity

Abstract

Zinc is an essential element to plants. However, excessive zinc levels can severely damage them. Schizolobium amazonicum is an Amazon native species that presents desirable features to remediate environments contaminated with heavy metals. Silicon has the beneficial effect of reducing the toxicity of different contaminants. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of Si on the growth and nutritional status of S. amazonicum seedlings subjected to zinc toxicity. The study followed a completely randomized design at 4 x 2 factorial arrangement based on four zinc (1, 150, 300 and 600 μM) and two silicon (0 and 1.5 mM) concentrations with five repetitions for 30 days. Increasing Zn concentrations in the nutrient solution reduced the growth of the plant and Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Mn and Cu contents in plant tissues, increased S concentrations and led to higher toxicity in the roots than shoot of S. amazonicum plants. Si addition to the nutrient solution increased plant growth and the absorption of the evaluated macro and micronutrients. Si increased plant tolerance level from 42.8 to 41.3% at 600 μM Zn, which suggested that this element mitigated the phytotoxic effects of the excess of zinc. Based on the tolerance index, the species presented medium and high tolerance to the evaluated zinc doses. Bioconcentration and translocation factors have indicated the low Zn-phytoextraction capacity of S. amazonicum and suggested that the species may be promising for Zn phytostabilization purposes.